5.3 PTR: Battlefield Barrens - Scenarios, Quests, and Lore

Patch 5.3 introduces a new world event, Battlefield Barrens, that explores the conflict between the Alliance, Horde, and Garrosh. There's a ton of stuff to do and collect as part of this event--but it's only around for a limited amount of time.

The first scenario Lorewalker Cho makes you complete is Blood in the Snow, so he can observe what Varian Wyrnn is like as the leader of the Alliance. As we covered earlier, there is a brief dialogue leading up to the scenario that shows how the dwarven tribes were hesitant to lend Varian support.

The Dark Iron help Varian defeat the ice trolls in Shimmer Ridge, who are cannibalizing the dwarven scouts and obscuring their operations with a magical deadly storm. Moira's decision to help Varian, when the other dwarven clans would not, shames the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers into pledging more of their aid in the future.

If you are a Horde player, you will be transformed into a Human for this scenario.

Stage 1 – The Mountaineers

Contact the Dark Iron Mountaineers atop Shimmer Ridge and find a way to stop the storm.

Start:Varian: This is where my agents tracked the Zandalari.Moira: Shimmer RIdge. I know it well. The Frostmane trolls breed and plot atop that snow-blown mesa.Varian: I can only imagine what foul business the Zandalari have with them...Moira: We've lost many mountaineers to this freakish storm, or the trolls slithering about in it.Varian: Yes. This weather is not natural.Moira: Aye. I am loathe to send my men into that. It reeks of ambush and bloody disaster.Varian: My champions will go. THey will see what can be done, and rescue who they can.Moira: If they can stop that storm, I'll lead the Forgeguard to the top myself.Varian: It is heartening to see you here, Moira. You have my thanks.Moira: Indeed. WIth the aid of your champions, the Dark Irons will put an end to the Zandalari threat in Dun Morogh.Moira: We will prove our loyalty - to the Council, Ironforge, and the Alliance - here, today, and with our own blood.Varian: Hrmmm. Fare well, Queen Regent.Moira: I'll see you when it's done, King of Stormwind.

:Oh…right. Now: Did the human king send ye? Oh, his spies are all dead… and most of us are, too.I saw 'em draggin' Boldbrew, kicking' and bitten', towards some hut south o'here. Now if ye hurry, ye can help her, and she might know more.BUT STAY AWAY FROM THE BIG VILLAGE! There's dozens o' mad ice trolls in there! Oh, that Zandalari priest has 'em whipped up into a great frenzy.

: Ye ain't cookin' ME, ye long-eared snow-huffer!Oh, that was a CLOSE one, thank ye!There's only a few of us left: the ones they don't eat, they butcher at some big altar.

Conclusion:Varian: Well fought. I see the Dark Irons are as formidable as ever.Moira: That they are, King Varian. And at the service of the Alliance, I might add.Varian: Hah! For that, I'm glad. The Bronzebeards and Wildhammers will regret not having been here to share in your glory.Moira: Better they're grateful for the clansmen spared death on this miserable hillock. We sought to protect and impress, not to shame.Varian: Well, you've done just that. Come, let us return to Ironforge, and announce your victory to the Council.

The second scenario to complete is Dark Heart of Pandaria, so Lorewalker Cho can see what Garrosh is like as the leader of the Horde. Once again, there is a brief dialogue leading up to this scenario, in which Lorewalker Cho contrasts the Alliance and Horde styles of leadership.

As WoW Insider covered in their scenario writeup, the Horde ends up in possession of the remains of an Old God, which can only lead to no good.

The Goblins have been told to excavate the Vale of Eternal Blossoms for Garrosh, but they've run into some trouble. When they finally blast their way through the Big Blossom Mine, they find themselves in a Titan room and must defeat the essence of an Old God. To make things worse, they must hand it over to the Kor'kron, who treat the Goblins in such a way as to lose even their loyalty.

If you are an Alliance player, you will be turned into a Goblin in this scenario.

This dialogue takes place after the scenario has been completed--the goblins and the Kor'kron aren't getting along too well:

Grizzle: Just what in the name of all that is unholy was that thing?Malkorok: Step aside goblin. This artifact is exactly what the Warchief hoped to find here. I am taking it under Kor'kron protection.Grizzle: Oh don't you worry none, I don't think anyne wants to touch that thing again. I'll collect our money and we are outta here.Grizzle: Hey hey, what is this, huh? This is barely a fifth of the promised payment!Malkorok: You are paid for all workers present, foreman. The Warchief does not compensate the dead.Grizzle: Naw naw, see there's a contract. Payment in full is-Malkorok: THIS. This is what has diluted the vitality of our precious Horde!Malkorok: The Warchief graciously permits the families of the dead to live in his city. To die in the service of the Horde should be a great honor, but you see it as another opportunity to line your filthy pockets!Malkorok: Your kind DISGUSTS me. Small. Weak. Honorless as thieves. Be thankful the Warchief still tolerates your presence at all.Grizzle: Yeah, we'll see who's got Garrosh's back when it counts.Malkorok: What was that, goblin? Grizzle Gearslip: Oh yeah, hey no nothing your, uh, your hugeness. Uh, for the Horde, and all that… Bye!

Quests: Escalation

After completing both scenarios, the Alliance and Horde will be sent to to continue questing. The Alliance and Horde share some quests in the middle of the quest series, but the Alliance has some unique scouting quests by Orgrimmar while the Horde gets to see the Battles of Razor Hill and Sen'jin Village.

Horde

: Travel to Durotar from the Shrine of the Two Moons, and then meet up with Ki'ta Arrowtusk in Sen'jin Village. As we've noted earlier, Sen'jin Village has received troll reinforcements, with new Sen'jin Defenders and Guards being trained.

: Ki'ta takes you to Vol'jin, who is reminisicing with Thrall and Chen Stormstout about how much has changed over the years.

: To show your loyalty to Vol'jin, collect 15 , 15 , 15 , and 15 .

: Defend Sen'jin Village from the Kor'kron assault. Thrall and Chen are helping out, as well as all of the villagers. (Bom'bay hopes he gets promoted to being a full witch doctor after this.) When the battle is won, Thrall decides to go to Orgrimmar to win more allies and tells Vol'jin to care of his family if he does not make it.

: Vol'jin pressures towards Orgrimmar, and after escorting his army through Durotar, you help take over Razor Hill. The Kor'kron has locked up the entire city, even the orc trainers who beg you to free them and swear that Garrosh is not their true Warchief.

Afterwards, you'll go to the Razor Hill Outpost, where Baine is telling Vol'jin that he must seek aid outside of the Horde if he hopes to defeat Garrosh.

Vol'jin and Thrall on Thrall's decision to go to Orgrimmar alone:

Thrall: Wait Vol'jin. Horde is spilling Horde blood. It is tearing me apart.Vol'jin: We need ya, mon.Thrall: I know. I trust you to lead the siege. I am needed elsewhere.Thrall: I refuse to believe that all of my brethren support Garrosh.Vol'jin: You set one foot in Orgrimmar, Hellscream gonna bury a knife in ya neck!Thrall: I am going to Orgrimmar, alone. Eitrigg, Saurfang, surely they are standing against Garrosh, I must find others.Thrall: It is a risk I have to take. But if I am killed, please watch over Aggra and my boy.Vol'jin: I won't hear ya say such tings.Thrall: It has to be said, Vol'jin. If we do not make it through this - I want you to know. You have always been my friend. My brother.Vol'jin: For da Horde.Thrall: For the Horde.

Baine and Vol'jin upon victory in Razor Hill:

Vol'jin: It be done! Razor Hill is ours! Da Warchief probably see da fires all the way from Grommash Hold…Baine: Vol'jin - you're alive! It is true then - an open rebellion against the Warchief.Vol'jin: Baine. We be needing' ya support. Razor Hill be but an outpost - the walls of Orgrimmar be fortified since da Cataclysm.Baine: I must tread carefully. Many of my people are still within Orgrimmar.Vol'jin: Lor'themar be ready to strike once he finish wit da Isle of Thunder, and da Banshee Queen need no excuse, but they botha cross da see. Without ya strength, we can't breech the city. I need tauren arms.Baine: We are preparing. I just need time to ensure the safety of my people. But Vol'jin…Vol'jin: Hmmm….Baine: Garrosh has turned Orgrimmar into a fortress. You may need to seek out allies… beyond the Horde.

Vol'jin, when asked "Why are you fighting against your own Warchief?"

Ya still call him "Warchief"? Is he still YOUR Warchief? What of de spoils of his war? I don't see you fat an' happy like his Kor'kron. His Horde be an orc Horde. Do ya still feel welcome here? Are ya a part of his plan? Or are ya trash he gonna do away wit' once he has his way? He promise glory, but bathes our Horde in blood, an' steps on anyone who see it different.

Ya wanna know how I see de Horde? De Horde dat me an' Thrall built?

Horde be a family. When de whole world try ta put us down, de family come an' pick us back up. We all each other got, see?

Hellscream, he don't see family. Ain't never had one. All he see is power, like he just come through the portal.

<Vol'jin stares off into the distance.>

We stand against him - together, here, now - or he stop us out. One. By One. I got de scars ta prove it.

Who do ya trust? Where be your loyalty now? Hellscream? Or family?

Vol'jin, when asked "What happened to you in Pandaria?"

<Vol'jin runs his three-fingered hand over his scar.>

It been a long road, friend. Garrosh tried ta take me life wit' a knife in de throat. Left me for dead. I crawl out dat cave, couldn't even speak. It was Chen Stormstout who found me, nursed me back from de brink.

We travelled to de Shado-Pan Monastery, an' dye help me do some soul-searching. Figure out who I was. Who de Horde was. Me father…

He find out soon enough. Too bad I'm not gonna be there ta see da look on his fat, beady-eyed face when he hears ol' Vol'jin is back, an' gonna make good on me promise. Ta end his sad little reign. Ta fire de arrow dat pierces his black heart.

Alliance

: Teleport to Ratchet from Shrine of the Seven Stars, and then head to Skull Rock by Orgrimmar to meet up with members of SI:7 in hiding.

: Disguised as "Project C4T" (a ), you'll navigate your way around the Horde camp to free a prisoner, Zen'tabra, and retrieve three important documents. If you walk too close to the Kor'kron, your disguise will be blown.

: Meet up with in Razor Hill. This is a bit risky as you're going into a Horde city, but SI:7 gives you a white flag so Vol'jin's most trusted allies won't attack you. When you do meet up with , you're soon attacked by members of Razor Hill, but she calms them down. At this point, you realize that Razor Hill has been taken over by the Darkspear!

I'll tell ya what de Horde is. De Horde dat me an' Thrall built. It be a family. When de whole world try ta put us down, de family come an' pick us back up.

Hellscream, he don't see family. Ain't never had one.

For him, Horde be about orcs, an' buildin' up orc power. Like he just come through de portal. Anyone stand in his way, anyone tink any diff'rent, he shut 'em up.

<Vol'jin runs his three-fingered hand across his scar.>

He like an angry dog. Oh, I fight next to Hellscream in battle, sure. But put him in charge? Ya askin' for trouble. He pick his favorites, start his war, shove me bruddahs aside... He don't tink he need hobody else. Well, he wrong.

He gonna learn: ya never cross family.

Vol'jin, when asked "Why should we help you? What if we kept the Barrens supplies for ourselves?"

<Vol'jin cackles, the stench of his hot breath reeking in your nostrils.>

Hellscream is using Pandaria's secrets to wage war against the world - and even his own people. Is this really what the last pandaren emperor had in mind when he cloaked the continent in mists? And why did the mists suddenly disappear? I must have answers! In my travels, I met an old scholar, an expert on the last emperor. Please, seek out Seer Hao Pham Roo. Last we spoke, he was planning to retrace the emperor's steps by scaling Mount Neverest... but he was far too old to attempt such a climb.

: Attach the climbing rope to each Rope Anchor along the path to help Seer Hao Pham Roo reach Seeker's Point.

In his time of uncertainty, the last emperor walked a lonely path up this mountain, until he had at last found his answers. I am here to walk the same path, and it seems you have questions of your own to be answered. Perhaps you will join me, and we can both be satisfied? Oh, but I am getting old, and this blizzard is proving too much for my bones. Could you climb ahead and anchor this rope? I can hoist myself along from there. Together we shall walk the path of the last emperor.

In assisting Seer Hao Pham Roo, you learn a lot of interesting things about the history of Pandaria.

Seer Hao: Heh. Do not get angry with the elements, violence is their nature. I conquered my anger long, long ago.Seer Hao: My, you are strong! When I was young, I might have doubted that we could do this. But now, I have no doubts at all.Seer Hao: Such wind! Such cold! Once, it would have filled these old bones with despair. But on this day, I am filled with hope.Seer Hao: Such a patient one! When I was young, I would have hated this task. Nowadays, I am filled with love.Seer Hao: Do not fear the heights, as I did when I was young. Fear can drive us to terrible deeds. Ah, but I see that like me, you have learned the lessons of courage!Seer Hao: Ah, here we are. Oh, these old bones are tired. More tired than you can imagine...Seer Hao: You surprised me. I expected a hero such as yourself to balk at the task of carrying an old man up a mountain. Most are too proud.

Seer Hao: I was going to teach you a lesson, but instead, it is you who have taught me. You see, when I was young...when I was young...when I was young...Seer Hao: I was EMPEROR.Emperor Shaohao: The realm you see all around you was mine to command.Emperor Shaohao: I conquered my doubts, my fears, my anger... I buried all of it within the land.Emperor Shaohao: But I held on to one vice. The one sha I never conquered. PRIDE.Emperor Shaohao: My pride cloaked this land in mists! I thought we were better than the rest of the world.Emperor Shaohao: I thought we could solve our own problems. But for ten thousand years, we stagnated, our doubts and fears buried in the land, rising up to fester whenever we allowed them.Emperor Shaohao: Pride. It is the most insidious of sha. It is good until it is bad. And then it is more dangerous than all the others combined.Emperor Shaohao: Beware of Pride! Be humble! The world is plunging into chaos. Old enemies must work together. Proud races must admit they need help.Emperor Shaohao: Things are going to get worse before they get better. Only by working together can we overcome the darkness.Emperor Shaohao: All that stands in our way...is pride.

Commenti

Commento di Necromorta

The Darkspear Rebellion: Travel to Durotar from the Shrine of the Seven Moons...

*Two moons :)

Commento di Seethe

on 2013-04-11T13:52:14-05:00

Awesome! I'm really liking how this is all shaping up.

Commento di Rankkor

on 2013-04-11T14:15:41-05:00

Small correction perc:

When you do meet up with Zen'tabra, you're soon attacked by members of Razor Hill, but he calms them down. At this point, you realize that Razor Hill has been taken over by the Darkspear!

Zen'tabra is a she, :P

After having done both sides in the PTR, I really liked the horde version more. It felt more epic, both with the battle of Sen'jin and the retaking of Razor Hill.

Commento di rameoner92

on 2013-04-11T14:17:10-05:00

Vive la résistance, mon!

Commento di Vrominelli

on 2013-04-11T14:50:49-05:00

Chen, Thrall, Vol'jin, and even Baine in one quest chain?Damn, all we need now is Rexxar, Drek'Thar, and Rokhan and everything will be full circle! (mostly just Rexxar though)

Commento di zharshoul

on 2013-04-11T16:50:35-05:00

cairne also needs to rise from the dead , its possible that garrosh has been going crazy due to a tell tale heart type scenario involving cairne being able to rest from being wrongfully slain.

Commento di Arisudesu

on 2013-04-11T18:00:44-05:00

Horde be a family. When de whole world try ta put us down, de family come an' pick us back up. We all each other got, see?

Hellscream, he don't see family. Ain't never had one. All he see is power, like he just come through the portal...

...Who do ya trust? Where be your loyalty now? Hellscream? Or family?

Epic line from an epic leader. The rebellion is heating up in 5.3, can't wait!

Commento di wintervictor

on 2013-04-12T08:46:52-05:00

Great, so Garrosh lost the most devastating and the most easy to keep ally...beware of GOBLIN BOMB!I suppose what Baine should be little Wyrnn (by mean of sunwalker) or night elves (by Cenarion Circle)? I also would like to see some Kor'kron's NPC be friend too, I don't think all of them loyal to Garrosh so much after-all.

Commento di Keelerak

on 2013-04-12T08:49:49-05:00

What was Garrosh thinking about when he decided not to pay the Goblins their money? He could have just declared a war to them for the same effect.

Commento di Rankkor

on 2013-04-12T10:02:01-05:00

I also would like to see some Kor'kron's NPC be friend too, I don't think all of them loyal to Garrosh so much after-all.

Officially speaking Saurfang is the Leader of the Kor'Kron, and we KNOW he's not with garrosh. So....... wish granted.

Commento di Usury

on 2013-04-12T10:24:55-05:00

How do the Darkspear have the strength or numbers to rebel against anything or anyone? They were nearly wiped out by murlocs not that long ago.

Commento di Glooge

on 2013-04-12T12:35:11-05:00

The mighty Tolls wiped out by mere murlocs? doesn`t sound right.

Commento di greycraig

on 2013-04-12T13:07:57-05:00

finally. i've been waiting for factions to have splits! makes a big twist on things. hopefully new playable races( like the consortium folks)

Commento di TheDancingTree

on 2013-04-12T13:25:39-05:00

I really like how Moira is helping the alliance's efforts. She's proving that the Dark Iron can be trusted!

Commento di MABGamer6407

on 2013-04-12T15:50:58-05:00

Old Gods, I knew it. I have a feeling we will at last see are 3rd Giant mutant creature. I somewhat doubt it will be N'zoth but due to it having been hinted it could certainly be. Ever sense Deathwing's final form, I have a feeling we won't just fight big G Blade to blade. Na hes definitely becoming something big and monstrous at a point. Now im also questoning the boss's of Orgs assault. It be awesome if Gamon and other old Npc's were involved but after there defeat they would actually aid the Fighters against G (Mostly just Gamon) maybe realizing the're mistake on helping the crazed Warchief. Kinda like Ulduar.

Commento di Brendensmall

on 2013-04-12T17:34:59-05:00

Wonder how the section that takes place is Ratchet will work for those players with Bloodsail Admiral titles that never redeemed their reputation and are still hated by the goblins. Curious to see how that plays out and if it will still be completable for those characters.

Oh and Down with Garrosh!

Commento di Keelerak

on 2013-04-13T01:39:49-05:00

Old Gods, I knew it. I have a feeling we will at last see are 3rd Giant mutant creature. I somewhat doubt it will be N'zoth but due to it having been hinted it could certainly be.

I think it is pretty clear that if an OG will be involved in this expansion it is going to be Y'Sharrj

Commento di Nikola111196

on 2013-04-13T03:07:45-05:00

Rather excited! Can't wait, the Horde shall be strong again!

Commento di Adamsm

on 2013-04-13T05:20:56-05:00

Old Gods, I knew it. I have a feeling we will at last see are 3rd Giant mutant creature. I somewhat doubt it will be N'zoth but due to it having been hinted it could certainly be.

I think it is pretty clear that if an OG will be involved in this expansion it is going to be Y'Sharrj

Except he's dead Jim; that's why the Sha exist.

Commento di Keelerak

on 2013-04-13T08:08:09-05:00

Old Gods, I knew it. I have a feeling we will at last see are 3rd Giant mutant creature. I somewhat doubt it will be N'zoth but due to it having been hinted it could certainly be.

I think it is pretty clear that if an OG will be involved in this expansion it is going to be Y'Sharrj

Except he's dead Jim; that's why the Sha exist.

His body is, but he left behind enough of him. As you said, there are Sha, and then there is this "Echo of Y'Sharrj" we kill in Dark Heart of Pandaria, which Kor'Kron promptly claims.